Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge is bordered on two sides by the Upper New York Bay, which
made it an ideal vacation home location for early 1900's New Yorkers
looking to escape the sweltering Manhattan summer. Though most
architectural evidence from that time disappeared during the ensuing
urbanization of the neighborhood, current residents can still
appreciate views of the bay and proximity to the water.

The middle-class Scandinavians who replaced the summertime residents have
stayed in the neighborhood for decades, resisting up-scale interlopers
and high-rise development - though some has slipped in. The community
recently put zoning limits on condo developers who they felt were
changing the nature of the neighborhood.

The Verrazano bridge connects Staten Island to Bay Ridge, making an
easy commute back and forth for people with families, friends, or jobs
on Staten Island. The many freeways that border Bay Ridge (Gowanus
Expressway, Belt Parkway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Shore Parkway,
Pow/Mia Memorial Parkway) help car owners navigate in and out of the
area. For access to the rest of Brooklyn and Manhattan, the R train
stops multiple times in Bay Ridge and connects to N & D express
lines slightly north of the neighborhood. Currently, there is interest
in creating ferry service to Manhattan as well.